Marijuana decriminalization bill heads to governor's desk

House signs off on Senate changes

May 13, 2013

Written by

Associated Press

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MONTPELIER — Decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana and hashish has cleared its last hurdle in the Vermont Legislature.

The House on Monday voted to concur with Senate changes to the bill — including a Senate-passed provision that decriminalizes possession of up to 5 grams of hashish, a concentrated derivative of marijuana.

The bill also replaces criminal penalties with civil fines similar to a traffic ticket for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana.

The bill must still be signed into law by Gov. Peter Shumlin, who says he supports it.